tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26968023071600408762018-11-09T05:06:04.574-05:00Children's Harnesses by Elaine, Inc.Baby Safety Harnesses. Child Safety Tethers. Special Needs Harness for larger toddlers and children-teens-adults with Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, etc. Safety Harness and Tethers to use with a Service Dog. A blog about Elaine, my business and other stuff.Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-62363737041770198392018-03-13T12:08:00.000-04:002018-03-27T07:53:02.047-04:00Stroller Safety Strap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--lAnafYE22M/WrT33yE6wyI/AAAAAAAAAoA/pBAu7XdF0xIbcQ3nIYe7rNJ68GXC_ms_ACLcBGAs/s1600/March%2B2018%2Bin%2BIngersoll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--lAnafYE22M/WrT33yE6wyI/AAAAAAAAAoA/pBAu7XdF0xIbcQ3nIYe7rNJ68GXC_ms_ACLcBGAs/s320/March%2B2018%2Bin%2BIngersoll.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">(My niece with her&nbsp;<b>Stroller Safety Strap</b>&nbsp;from Childharness.ca.)&nbsp;</span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The other day my niece was visiting with her new baby and when we were heading out for a walk I was surprised to see that her (<i>extremely high-end</i>) stroller was not equipped with a safety strap for her to loop around her wrist.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">REALLY???</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I asked her if she would like me to make one for her and before I could even finish my question she was saying "YES!".</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">When my own boys were small I had a jogger for them and I'm pretty sure that all joggers come with a wrist strap. It's a critical piece of safety equipment and gives you the confidence to take your hands off the jogger without worrying it - with your children - will roll away on you. I was accustomed to that feeling of safety and I must tell you, when I was pushing the stroller the other day while my niece walked with her husband I found it nerve-racking not having the feeling of that safety strap around my wrist. I didn't have the confidence to take either of my hands off the stroller and I was terrified that a bump on the sidewalk with dislodge my fingers. I'm sure I permanently dented the cushioning on the push bar, my grip was so tight.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">That night I made her a wrist strap and sent it off to her but that got me thinking - are these things available? If so, what do they look like? Now, keep in mind that I've been working with webbing and sliders and d-rings and rectangle rings for many years now, so I do feel I'm justified in expressing an opinion about someone else's quality.....&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Here's what I found;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>1. the safety strap made with a metal d-ring</b></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lys09C_Ugbc/WqfeQQ4P6CI/AAAAAAAAAnA/6RoqnLu-4MMazMAxYEfCPGfh3Xm6XdRgwCLcBGAs/s1600/wrist%2Bstrap%2Bwith%2Bmetal%2Bd-ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="355" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lys09C_Ugbc/WqfeQQ4P6CI/AAAAAAAAAnA/6RoqnLu-4MMazMAxYEfCPGfh3Xm6XdRgwCLcBGAs/s320/wrist%2Bstrap%2Bwith%2Bmetal%2Bd-ring.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2eYA3BPPvA/WqfeWQRW36I/AAAAAAAAAnE/jxJspORxWZwcU9_FMKAxuX9dox0KFWsFACLcBGAs/s1600/wrist%2Bstrap%2Bwith%2Bmetal%2Bd-ring2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="355" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2eYA3BPPvA/WqfeWQRW36I/AAAAAAAAAnE/jxJspORxWZwcU9_FMKAxuX9dox0KFWsFACLcBGAs/s320/wrist%2Bstrap%2Bwith%2Bmetal%2Bd-ring2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This thing looks great. Cushioned strap so it's comfortable on your wrist, nice and thick, looks durable. So what's the problem?&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">i) See where the material is sewn around the straight edge of the d-ring? Believe it or not, over time, the d-ring can cut through that material. It may take a while to happen but unless I had seen it with my own d-rings and webbing, I wouldn't believe it.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">ii) The strap is waaaaay too short. You'd have to remove it from your wrist to reach your baby in the stroller and anyone walking a baby knows how often you're reaching inside to adjust soothers and blankets.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Ok, moving on;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>2. the safety strap made with a plastic slip lock</b></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nE7zDdhzL1E/WqfflYkdYHI/AAAAAAAAAnU/SdUrTmnBo7sbIFe2VOKW7p8vVxiRc1mHQCLcBGAs/s1600/wrist%2Bstrap%2Bwith%2Bplastic%2Bslider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nE7zDdhzL1E/WqfflYkdYHI/AAAAAAAAAnU/SdUrTmnBo7sbIFe2VOKW7p8vVxiRc1mHQCLcBGAs/s320/wrist%2Bstrap%2Bwith%2Bplastic%2Bslider.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">i) This makes me very nervous because a slip lock is not meant to be used in this way; it is meant to keep 2 layers of webbing together so the webbing is kept neat and tidy. That's their purpose. Here, the slip lock is being used to take tension and stress (i.e. to hold the weight of the stroller if it drifts away from you), and that's not smart. Slip locks can crack a lot easier than you'd think when they are used incorrectly.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">ii) It's also waaaay too short and it would ALSO have to be removed from your wrist to reach your baby inside the stroller.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There were other variations of these safety straps on the market and if cheap prices are your thing, you could get one for just a few dollars. Let's put aside the fact that you may have to rely on this safety strap to keep your baby from rolling off the sidewalk, but anyway, some people go for the lowest price regardless.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">For me, I've always been a stickler for quality. I have to be able to TRUST the product I'm using, especially when it came to my kids. And it has to be functional. The safety wrist strap that came with my jogger was too short and had single row box stitching which I didn't think was enough. The last thing I wanted to have to remember is to inspect my safety strap when I had everything else to do to get the kids ready for an outing.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Which brings me back to the <b>Stroller&nbsp;Safety Strap that I made for my niece</b>.&nbsp;</span><br /><ul><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">1. The <b>Safety Strap</b> has a small loop at one end and a large hand-loop at the other. Choose a place on the stroller where you want to attach the <b>Safety Strap</b>. Feed the BIG loop through the SMALL loop, pull the webbing through then put the BIG loop over your wrist.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">2. Two seams of reinforced zigzag stitching as seen in this picture of the small loop end of the <b>Safety Strap</b></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymQp2WAzyms/WqfnlNuVP8I/AAAAAAAAAnk/KHO2JHMkz5kYETjE2f91UQI-WSmwHBVVwCLcBGAs/s1600/double%2Breinforced%2Bstitching%2Bon%2Bloop%2Bend.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="1030" height="162" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymQp2WAzyms/WqfnlNuVP8I/AAAAAAAAAnk/KHO2JHMkz5kYETjE2f91UQI-WSmwHBVVwCLcBGAs/s320/double%2Breinforced%2Bstitching%2Bon%2Bloop%2Bend.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">3. Two seams of reinforced zigzag stitching and a velcro strip at the big loop end of the <b>Safety Strap</b>, as seen in this picture;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8f3qakmBejw/WqfpMIl6MvI/AAAAAAAAAnw/Cry1O7e79WISovZwNt9u5F2pYTOLTADUgCLcBGAs/s1600/double%2Breinforced%2Bstitching%2Bon%2Bhand%2Bloop%2Bend.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="778" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8f3qakmBejw/WqfpMIl6MvI/AAAAAAAAAnw/Cry1O7e79WISovZwNt9u5F2pYTOLTADUgCLcBGAs/s320/double%2Breinforced%2Bstitching%2Bon%2Bhand%2Bloop%2Bend.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The velcro strip is used to bundle the strap so it can stay attached to the stroller.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">4. The <b>Safety Strap</b> finished length was approximately 30 inches long. There are a number of reasons why the strap MUST have some length to it!!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"> i) You must have options to attach the strap anywhere on the stroller. If the strap is very short, you can only attach it to the top push bar, assuming your stroller has a top push bar (some models don't).&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">ii) The <b>Safety Strap</b>&nbsp;is long enough for you to reach forward and touch your baby inside the stroller WITHOUT having to remove it from your wrist. This is just plain common sense. There are many times during a walk when you have to check your baby or adjust their blankets or help them with their soother or sippy cup (when they are older). Having a short strap that restricts you from using both hands isn't practical, and having to remove the strap to use your hand isn't safe.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">iii) Which also means the <b>Safety Strap</b> is long enough for you to reach up and touch your face when the strap is over your wrist/forearm. Why? To eat! To drink! To put on your sunglasses! To take off your sunglasses! To wipe your nose! To get the hair out of your face! To zip up your jacket. To unzip your jacket. The other wrist straps on the market are about 12-14 inches long, and if you're a Mom who is 4 ft tall, it will work great for you. For the rest of us, it's too short, too restricting, and too annoying. Just use your other hand you say? True, but for me, everything I needed seemed to be always on the left side of the stroller or in my left pocket. Regardless, I didn't want either of my hands to be restricted in movement.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">iv) When your little one is older, use the <b>Safety Strap</b> as something for them to hold onto when they walk with you. Having a bit of length is GREAT for your child - they can walk close to you but still have some space to explore; something that a 12 inch strap would not allow. </span><br /><br /></ul><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So this is now my new mission: to offer Moms a HIGH QUALITY and FUNCTIONAL <b>Stroller Safety Strap</b> to attach to their stroller, to use now as well as later when their little one is walking.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">* reasonable price&nbsp;+ shipping. Remember, ya get what ya pay for so if you want something for $5.49 off ya go to Amazon!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">* available in Black, Navy Blue, Pacific blue (pictured), Red, Purple (made for my niece)</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">* any length you like, though I would recommend 30 inches finished length for practical purposes</span><br /><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Contact me</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"> through my website, elaine@childharness.ca or childharness@yahoo.com, and put "<b>Stroller Safety Strap</b>" in the subject heading.</span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-7273730561332234282015-02-28T09:55:00.000-05:002018-03-13T09:44:06.880-04:00Sweatshirt to wear over our Special Needs Safety Harness, $19.99<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qvug6F3240A/VPHB5_1q6rI/AAAAAAAAAfs/4bVGH7eeatU/s1600/6a.%2Blead%2Band%2Bhandle%2C%2Blooking%2Bright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qvug6F3240A/VPHB5_1q6rI/AAAAAAAAAfs/4bVGH7eeatU/s1600/6a.%2Blead%2Band%2Bhandle%2C%2Blooking%2Bright.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>New to our product line</b></span>, we are now selling <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/sweatshirt.html" target="_blank">Sweatshirts</a>, $19.99, that your child can wear over their <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/2strap.html" target="_blank">Special Needs Safety Harness</a>.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Rather than adjust their harness to fit over another layer of clothing each time you need to go out, simply put the Sweatshirt on over their Harness and attach the lead through the slot at the back of the Sweatshirt.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Headed to the park? Going for your walk? Maybe you're off to the doctor's office or you need to do some shopping at the mall. Wherever you're headed, your child will be wearing their Harness, and having one of our Sweatshirts gives you the flexibility to quickly add a cosy layer of clothing to keep them warm when they are outside. Once you've reached your destination or if they get too hot when playing it's a simple matter to remove the Sweatshirt so they are comfortable. Their Special Needs Harness does not need to be removed or adjusted.&nbsp; </span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Our Sweatshirts are top quality, heavy blend, 50% cotton 50% polyester pre-shrunk crew neck garments with rich colour and a soft brushed interior. With plenty of room through the body and lots of length in the sleeve, your child will get (almost) as many years use from their Sweatshirt as they will from their Special Needs Safety Harness.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Our model is 10 years old and has a 27 inch chest. He is wearing a Pacific Blue Special Needs Safety Harness made with a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.childharness.ca/handle.html" target="_blank">Permanent Handle</a> and a Navy Blue Medium Sweatshirt. </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ydX2q0E_ac0/VPHGcaMnf-I/AAAAAAAAAgE/uGUOiNbqPbc/s1600/first%2B3%2Bpics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ydX2q0E_ac0/VPHGcaMnf-I/AAAAAAAAAgE/uGUOiNbqPbc/s1600/first%2B3%2Bpics.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>1.</b> Put the Harness on as usual <b>2.</b> Put the Sweatshirt on over top <b>3.</b> Attach the lead to the back through the slot&nbsp; </span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VZ50KZCklrM/VPHH8rzZj8I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/_ljifflvgJs/s1600/last%2B3%2Bpics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VZ50KZCklrM/VPHH8rzZj8I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/_ljifflvgJs/s1600/last%2B3%2Bpics.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>4.</b> Pull the Handle through the slot <b>5. </b>Use the Handle as normal <b>6.</b> The lead and Handle together</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Our Sweatshirts are ideal for making the Special Needs Safety Harness a discreet addition to your child's wardrobe. If you feel self-conscious using your Harness in public, one of our Sweatshirts may help. The Harness will be essentially hidden by the Sweatshirt. Use the Permanent Handle to keep your child by your side, or one of our <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/parent_tether.html" target="_blank">Hands-free Parent Tethers</a>.&nbsp; </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Our Sweatshirts are available in Navy Blue, Black, and Red. We currently carry Youth sizes in Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large. The Youth size Small will comfortably fit our youngest customers, and the generous sizing of the Large and Extra Large will fit the majority of our older customers. However, if an Adult size or Ladies size Sweatshirt is required, these can be quickly and easily ordered separately.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">You can order your Sweatshirt when you order your <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/2strap.html" target="_blank">Special Needs Safety Harness</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">If you already have one of our Special Needs Safety Harnesses and you would like one of our Sweatshirts for your child, place your order through our <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact Us</a> page. Let us know the size and colour you would like, best to confirm your mailing address as well. </span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-90083521676269343252013-06-06T07:47:00.000-04:002018-03-13T09:44:45.626-04:00Hands-free Parent-to-Child Tether <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WPtTfVb1GkA/UbBzi7sYg0I/AAAAAAAAAbg/VFfbR92elTM/s1600/parent+tether.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WPtTfVb1GkA/UbBzi7sYg0I/AAAAAAAAAbg/VFfbR92elTM/s320/parent+tether.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hands-free parent tether</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Lately I've had a lot of requests from parents for a means to keep their child with special needs close to them while they are pushing a stroller with a younger sibling.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Other situations would be when the parent wanted to have their hands free to do things like carry groceries through the parking lot.&nbsp; </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">In these cases, I have made a separate belt for the parent to wear and a separate tether with a snap hook at each end for them to connect themselves to their child with special needs.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.childharness.ca/parent_tether.html" target="_blank">hands-free parent-to-child tether</a> has an O-ring on it that can easily move around their waist. One end of the tether is connected to the O-ring on the parent belt, the other end is connected to the O-ring on the back of the <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/2strap.html" target="_blank">Special Needs Safety Harness</a>.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The tether between parent and child is about 2 1/2 feet long.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">As with all my products, strength and durability are a priority. The buckle on the parent belt is the strongest I have; American made ITW Nexus Classic with a 200 pound break strength. The O-ring on the parent belt is the same quality as the O-ring on the Child-to-Adult Harness (500 pound weight capacity), and the snap hooks on the tether are also the same heavy duty snap hooks that I use on my leads (same snap hooks that are used on horse tack).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The hands-free parent-to-child tether costs $30 and is available in black, navy, red, purple or pink.&nbsp; &nbsp; </span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-86447957589226902632012-12-29T09:19:00.002-05:002013-06-05T07:12:31.672-04:00Waist Belt Tether to Autism Service Dog<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New to <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/" target="_blank">Childharness.ca</a> are two <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/waist_belt_tether.html" target="_blank">Waist Belt Tether Systems </a>that you can use to tether your child to their autism service dog. Tethering is used when the child is unable or unwilling to <i>always</i> hold the lead to the dog during their outings <i>and</i> when the dog has been trained as an anchor for the child. The parent/caregiver holds the lead to the dog when the child is tethered.</span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXilyUq6Mi4/Ua8cW9L38TI/AAAAAAAAAbI/WIh2frqKKyM/s1600/regular+waist+belt+tether+system.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXilyUq6Mi4/Ua8cW9L38TI/AAAAAAAAAbI/WIh2frqKKyM/s320/regular+waist+belt+tether+system.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">regular waist belt tether system</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <b>Regular Waist Belt Tether</b> ($24) is an adjustable belt with a 3 1/2 foot tether to the dog. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The length of the tether allows your child to walk on either side OR DIRECTLY BEHIND their service dog. Adjust the waist belt loosely on your child. The tether loops over the waist belt and can slide around the belt as the child moves around the dog.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <b>Weighted Waist Belt Tether</b> ($27) has a metal O-ring that hangs from the child's waist belt. The metal ring serves a number of purposes;&nbsp;<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-045nBf95db0/Ua8cFwumBKI/AAAAAAAAAbA/QauXcQQJbU0/s1600/denim+weighted+tether.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-045nBf95db0/Ua8cFwumBKI/AAAAAAAAAbA/QauXcQQJbU0/s320/denim+weighted+tether.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dark denim weighted tether</td></tr></tbody></table></span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the weight of the ring gives your child a physical sense of wearing the belt</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the weight helps your child orient themselves to the dog, even when the tether is not under tension. For example, if the child always walks with the dog on their right, position the metal O-ring on the child's right side to give them a sense of 'sameness' each time they are tethered to their dog.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">any comfort toy that your child routinely takes on their outings can be clipped to the metal O-ring on their belt</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As with the Regular Waist Belt Tether, the Weighted Waist Belt Tether System has a 3 1/2 foot tether to the dog that allows your child to freely move around their companion. Your child will know their dog is always 'in the same place' as the O-ring on their belt. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each Waist Belt Tether System comes with a black stuff sack for easy transport and to keep the belt contained when in the washing machine.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Available in black, dark denim blue, red, purple and pink.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-62286743776269909332012-11-08T17:09:00.001-05:002012-12-29T09:21:37.927-05:00Removable lead attached to a backpack<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rmhx6uGbDGc/UJwj2sBhq2I/AAAAAAAAAZU/EA68fyg5OtU/s1600/lead2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rmhx6uGbDGc/UJwj2sBhq2I/AAAAAAAAAZU/EA68fyg5OtU/s320/lead2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temporary lead on his backpack will keep us together in the crowds</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This weekend I'm taking my 8 yr old to The Royal Winter Fair. Last year I took the older one and gosh was it crowded on the Saturday! I'm expecting the same this year so in preparation I made this lead that I've put around the handle at the top of his backpack. It's a slip-knot attachment so it's easy to remove when we get home. It's about 4 feet long so enough for us to walk comfortably together and give him some freedom but not so long that it takes me a while to bundle up (like when we're waiting for the train on the subway platform).&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The backpack closes with a buckle across his chest. This was something that I had to add to the backpack right at the beginning of the school year. Not being the most organized of households, we were frequently sprinting down the street to the school and as they ran, they had to hold onto the shoulder straps of their backpacks so they didn't leave them behind on the sidewalk. Rather than be more organized in the mornings, I added the buckle closure to hold the shoulder straps together and give the backpack a secure fit. And no, we aren't running to school EVERY day.....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both my boys are neurotypical and whereas the older one will stay by my side (and talk my ear off) whenever we go out together, this one is much more curious and MUCH more independent. He'd have no problem taking off to explore hither and yon if he felt like it, which is rather stressful for me because I would then have to spend all my time staring at the top of his head rather than looking at the booths and displays. Having the lead to keep us together is the difference between not going at all and having an enjoyable afternoon in the city, just me and my youngest.&nbsp; </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we can still hold hands if he wants too. &nbsp; &nbsp; </span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-39965410571003755462012-07-01T07:04:00.001-04:002012-12-29T09:21:37.925-05:00Universal medical symbol tag ($1.75 each) for your child's clothing<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PFFjg8Pdu24/T_ArWZXKIXI/AAAAAAAAAYo/ivmL42la6Qk/s1600/medical+tag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PFFjg8Pdu24/T_ArWZXKIXI/AAAAAAAAAYo/ivmL42la6Qk/s320/medical+tag.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Universal Medical Symbol tag is 3/4 inch x 5 inch</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Over the past few years, I have had a number of parents ask me if there was a label that could be attached to their new <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/2strap.html" target="_blank">Child-to-Adult Harness</a></span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">so anyone seeing their older child in public wearing a harness would know their child had autism.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I mulled this problem over for a long time before finally coming up with the idea of a small cloth tag that could be attached to the harness, or anything else the child is wearing. I chose the American Medical Association's universal medical symbol for my tag because not all my customers have autism and I wanted something easily recognizable by everyone.&nbsp; The tag measures 3/4 inch x 5 inches and is made of the same high-quality durable cloth material that I use for my labels.</span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hndhcc-lGPE/T_AsNHxziwI/AAAAAAAAAY4/acCWH_eH0aQ/s1600/tag+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hndhcc-lGPE/T_AsNHxziwI/AAAAAAAAAY4/acCWH_eH0aQ/s320/tag+front.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tag can be attached anywhere on the harness</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The AMA's symbol on the tag lets people know that the person with the tag has a medical issue. The tag closes with velcro around, for example, the shoulder strap on the harness, a belt loop, the handle on their backpack, anything. Write what you like on the inside of the tag using a pen or black Sharpie; your cell phone number, allergies, any critical information pertaining to your child. The tag is small and discreet and not intended to record your child's entire medical history, just the essentials.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm selling my tags for $1.75 each. You can read more about them and order through my website (<a href="http://www.childharness.ca/" target="_blank">childharness.ca</a>) at <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/medical_tag.html" target="_blank">Universal Medical Symbol tag</a>. Thanks for stopping by. Elaine</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-52834852354922550372012-03-10T08:50:00.003-05:002013-04-10T07:51:42.229-04:00Autism, Special Needs car window sign<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrxIBaVWGI0/T2CFKh0TL2I/AAAAAAAAAX4/_V7v84-siu0/s1600/windshield.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrxIBaVWGI0/T2CFKh0TL2I/AAAAAAAAAX4/_V7v84-siu0/s320/windshield.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Child with Autism on Board, medical details OVER"</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">About 2 weeks ago, my sister asked me to make a sign for Mom's front door that said "No soliciting, No flyers". Many houses in her home town had these signs but she didn't see any around here. I got on the internet to find something locally and after not having any luck, I made one myself to hang on Mom's door.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My sister's request got me thinking about signs for seniors. Then I started thinking about signs for my customers. Would they like to have a sign for their car (think "Baby on Board") that said there was a child with special needs in the vehicle? That type of sign might be helpful. I did another internet search and the only items I could find on the market were car decals for Autism Awareness. Hmmm. No signs at all that tell other drivers this car has a passenger with special needs.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPBscFuiTrM/T2CFnKodTkI/AAAAAAAAAYI/JSsMcISRW80/s1600/both+-+front.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPBscFuiTrM/T2CFnKodTkI/AAAAAAAAAYI/JSsMcISRW80/s320/both+-+front.JPG" width="263" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now, the most amazing thing about my business is the amazing parents and amazing children I have as customers. A quick question posted on my Facebook fan page and I had my answer - a sign for the car was a good idea. In less than a day I put pen to paper, took my draft to the sign shop and put the process in motion. As with many things in my head, the ideas continued to evolve and I decided on 2 signs; one for Autism and one for Special Needs that would hopefully appeal to my many customers who have other diagnoses.&nbsp; My signs are UV protected laminate and measure 8 inches x 4 5/8 inches. They attach to the interior car window with 2 velcro adhesive circles. Each sign comes with 4 circles; use the extra for another vehicle or keep them in reserve. If your car has tinted windows, the sign can be placed on the dashboard like a wheelchair parking permit. On the back of the sign, use a permanent marker to write on the plastic laminate important information about your child. If this makes you uncomfortable, write instructions instead, for example, "See medical details in glove box", or "See info packet under driver's seat". In the event of an accident where the driver is incapacitated, police, firemen and medical personnel will be able to learn critical information about your child that you may not be in any condition to relate yourself.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_HYJ4K9rwNw/T2CFzdutJoI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/MdzvIoTEztY/s1600/back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_HYJ4K9rwNw/T2CFzdutJoI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/MdzvIoTEztY/s320/back.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm selling my signs for $7 each. The stamp for the envelope will set you back another $1.79 and there will be taxes applied if you're in Canada. You can read more about them (and hopefully) place your order at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.childharness.ca/autism_car_sign.html">Autism, Special Needs Car Window Sign</a>. Thanks for your interest, and thanks especially for your input that encouraged me to develop this exciting new and unique product. Elaine</span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-26405226342135188882012-01-08T18:54:00.000-05:002012-01-08T18:54:54.271-05:00Hello from Elaine<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My goodness, the dust was so thick on this blog that I had trouble dusting it off. I barely remember how to do a posting, it's been so long. Almost a year in fact. Where does the time go? And why the long silence from someone who is incapable of leaving a voice message less than a minute long? (windbag that I am...). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Business has been great. Most of my day is spent corresponding with customers, sending invoices and sewing up their orders. I love it. Sometimes I have a slow period, and I use that time to sew up extra&nbsp;<a href="http://www.childharness.ca/features.html">Child Harnesses</a> or&nbsp;<a href="http://www.childharness.ca/wheelchair.html">chair straps</a> to save time later. The summer can be crazy busy and the more prepared I am, the less hectic it is. Though I'm usually caught off guard and don't have enough sewn up beforehand to see me through. That's not a complaint!!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A few days ago I had a very touching email from a Mom who started her message by saying 'Elaine, I'm writing you in shock'. She'd had her daughter's&nbsp;<a href="http://www.childharness.ca/2strap.html">Child-to-Adult Harness</a> for a week and she was stunned by all the things she was able to do with her, all the places they were able to go, all the plans she was able to make now that she had the harness. I cried, it was so wonderful to read.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One customer at a time, that's how I run my business. Sometimes I get stumped thinking about how to take my business 'to the next level', how to become more 'corporate' like other businesses that grow and reach more people, provide jobs and generate more income for myself so I can pay off my mortgage before I'm 80. I sit like Winnie the Pooh tapping my temple saying 'think think think' but nothing comes. Then I get an email like that one last week and I'm reminded that I'm 100% in the right place at the right time right the way I am and one customer at a time is the perfect way for me to run my business. I'm not a 'corporate' kind of girl and I'd be terrified of losing that personal touch that's so integral to me and what I do.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, I'll sign off for now. And if I don't make it back until next year, it's because I'm taking time to talk to a Mom or a Dad or a Grandparent or a School about a customer.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One customer at a time, one customer loved by many. </span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-78242125308564935282011-03-23T22:10:00.000-04:002011-03-23T22:10:44.447-04:00Support a local store in your community and support people with mental illnessToday I made time to visit a local second hand store that I've been meaning to get to before I finished the book I was reading. And since I finished my book last night, today was the day.<br /><br />The second hand store has soft cover novels for 25 cents each. Every time I scan the shelves I see books I've donated. Today I found 3 to bring home and when I paid I told the ladies that since I treat their shop like a library, I'd likely be bringing these back when I finished. <br /><br />This particular store employs people with mental illness. It's a small shop with limited wall and floor space but they display very nicely a variety of clothes, kitchen items, bedding, knickknacks, etc. and in the back they have their book section with a few chairs to encourage lingering or for those who want to try on some shoes. The staff are warm and welcoming and quickly assisted by one supervisor if they happen to have difficulty helping a customer.<br /><br />Chances are good there is a similar store in your community. You may have to search it out; places like this spend their donations and sales revenue supporting people with mental illness and not on things like advertising. If and when you have time, wander into some second hand shops you haven't visited before. Take your donations with you; clothes the kids have outgrown, books you've finished, sweaters you don't like any more. If you spend a few minutes looking around, chances are good you'll find some new treasures to take home. And the money you leave behind may end up helping someone in ways you didn't expect.&nbsp;Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-86798271940900412392011-03-22T23:13:00.000-04:002011-03-22T23:13:55.207-04:00Price increase coming for my Child-to-Adult Harnesses<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7nv_cXZ1R4w/TYliOuaxCNI/AAAAAAAAAR4/-BiLgiDB9-U/s1600/image1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7nv_cXZ1R4w/TYliOuaxCNI/AAAAAAAAAR4/-BiLgiDB9-U/s1600/image1.jpg" /></a></div><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y0UiZcrMINg/TYliZrWGRWI/AAAAAAAAAR8/pTOh0WhF1rc/s1600/image2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y0UiZcrMINg/TYliZrWGRWI/AAAAAAAAAR8/pTOh0WhF1rc/s1600/image2.jpg" /></a>Well crap, this is not the sort of announcement I enjoy but it's inevitable I suppose. My prices have remained the same for the past 5 years but surprise surprise, my expenses have not and now I'm really feeling it. An adjustment is LONG overdue so in the next few weeks, maybe by mid-April, I'll be changing my prices. <br /><br /><b>My <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/2strap.html">Child-to-Adult Harness</a> for chest measurements of 26 inches or less</b> <b>will be $70 </b>($65 for the harness + $5 (at cost) for snap hook for the lead), up from $55 ($50 for the harness + $5 (at cost) for the snap hook for the lead).<br /><br /><b>My <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/2strap.html">Child-to-Adult Harness</a> for chest measurements over 26 inches will be $90 </b>($85 for the harness + $5 (at cost) for the snap hook for the lead), up from $80 ($75 + $5 (at cost) for snap hook for the lead).<br /><br /><b>My <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/features.html">Child Harness</a> price will remain unchanged at $35</b> for the harness + $2.50 (at cost) if you order a detachable lead.<br /><br />As always, when dealing with me you are getting exceptional customer service to match an exceptional product made for exceptional children.<br /><br />So that's it for the bad news. Don't shoot the messenger. If you or someone you know was thinking of ordering one of my Child-to-Adult Harnesses, please encourage them to do so during the next 3 weeks before my new prices take effect.<br /><br />Thanks so much. ElaineElainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-32360441149904333442011-03-19T21:20:00.000-04:002011-03-19T21:20:57.724-04:00Double lock buckles coming soon for my Child-to-Adult Harnesses<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rK4qXtmaJEQ/TYVJQNqQasI/AAAAAAAAAR0/ake4Tg3TCHQ/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rK4qXtmaJEQ/TYVJQNqQasI/AAAAAAAAAR0/ake4Tg3TCHQ/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I" double lock rock lockster buckle</td></tr></tbody></table>It's silly the things I get excited about but this little baby right here has become my new gold.<br /><br />Think I've lost my marbles? Maybe, but since this buckle was incredibly difficult to find and took lots of phone calls and emails to track down, when I finally located a company that could order them for me, I felt like I'd hit paydirt.<br /><br />Oh sure, a number of companies have 1 inch locking buckles on their websites but contact them to order some and you quickly find out that they don't carry that buckle, they don't make that buckle, they don't have that buckle and furthermore, they can't get that buckle. "Then why the heck is it on your website!!!???" "Oh well, it is available as a special order and you'd have to pay for a gazillion of them before we would ask the factory to make them for you but sorry, we can't send you a sample first to make sure you like them."<br /><br />But I digress. The point is, I've succeeded and fingers crossed within the month I'll have these buckles listed as an ordering option on <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/">my website</a>.<br /><br />The buckle is called a double lock rock lockster and it takes 2 hands to open. You squeeze the sides with one hand and press the tab with the other to pop the buckle open. For those parents who know they need locks on the <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/2strap.html">Child-to-Adult Harness</a> they order for their child, this locking buckle will be perfect. Since the buckles on the harness are at the child's back, odds are good that the child won't be able to figure out (sight unseen) the two-handed process needed to open the buckle. Anyway, that's the plan.&nbsp; <br /><br />Right now I offer my customers locking carabiners as an option for their Child-to-Adult Harness. The locking carabiners have been wonderful and have done the job beautifully over the past 3 years but a few months ago when my supply was running low and I placed another order, I ran into difficulties. Essentially, I wouldn't be able to get any more of the small locking carabiners I use now.<br /><br />But as with all things related to this business run by God, along comes a lovely lady by the name of Leanna who tells me about cop-lock buckles that need 2 hands to open. And the hunt was on. 99% of the industry uses 2 inch cop-lock buckles, hence the difficulty in locating 1 inch buckles that I need for my harnesses. But that's all water under the bridge now and I've nailed a supplier and placed my order. I've opted for the more expensive buckles made in the USA rather than the cheaper ones made overseas because I really like the quality of the American buckle and I want to support a company south of the border. I'm so thrilled that later this week I'm going to make a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/childharnessca">YouTube</a> video to show off my sample buckle to the masses. <br /><br />Have I lost my marbles? Maybe. But when I find something that I think will be GREAT for my customers, that's great quality, that's made by a company on this side of the pond, that's a reason to celebrate. Heck, it's even a reason to make a video.Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-59452140190634978682011-03-17T17:44:00.000-04:002011-03-17T17:44:00.115-04:00Migraine managementIf you didn't choose your parents carefully, you likely inherited their tendency for migraines. Even a history on one side of your family will tip the odds against you. <br /><br />If you suffer from migraines, this won't be news to you. When you've been stricken with illness you've likely taken an inventory of your parents, aunts, uncles, even grandparents and in your mind pointed a shaking finger in their direction and thought "This is your doing". <br /><br />Whereas a family history of migraines will increase your likelihood of experiencing them, it's the triggers that we sufferers need to identify. Prevention is key. <br /><ul><li><b>pay attention to what your body is telling you</b>. Your body likely gives you a number of signals before a migraine begins. You may have that particular 'sick' feeling, you may see flashing lights (even hours or the day before). Be attentive. It's likely too late to prevent the migraine but at least you'll have time to get yourself set up to deal with it.&nbsp;</li><li><b>if a migraine takes you by surprise, look at the previous few days</b>. Did you over-exert yourself? Are you particularly tired? Did you eat something unusual? Did you not eat when you needed to? Be critical and try to think of anything and everything that was out of your normal pattern. Your latest episode was caused by something and it's important to figure out what.&nbsp;</li><li><b>triggers can change over time</b>. For me, this was indeed an upsetting and unexpected revelation. One thing the doctors fail to mention to new Moms is that along with a new baby, the mother may also get a new body. Sure you look the same on the outside, but all your inner workings that were turned upside down to make the baby may not reset to The Normal You. All sorts of inconveniences like depression, psychosis, suicide and infanticide may bubble up thanks to hormone levels that neglected to reset to Default post delivery. Sleep disruption and foods that never caused migraines in the past may now be triggers so no, you're not losing your mind, you just need to learn your triggers all over again.</li><li>along the same theme, <b>fluctuating hormone levels</b> can also be the culprit. Changing hormone levels may never have caused you grief in the past but now you may find yourself with a migraine in the middle of your month AND when your cycle starts. There are specific medications for migraine sufferers to combat one type of hormone spike but not both so if you get migraines twice a month, you're on your own. But once through menopause, you should be in the clear.&nbsp;</li><li>watch for <b>chemicals, bacteria and hormones in your food</b>. Yogurt that you've been eating for years may now have you bedridden if you chance a spoonful. Preservatives in store-bought cookies that give them a shelf life of 10 years may now have you reaching for your pills. Remember that migraines are caused by something so if you don't know what that something is, put your food diary and your migraine diary together and think that Anything could be the culprit. It took me months to figure out the yogurt I was eating was causing the problem because the company had changed their recipe when they changed their packaging. But since I'd been eating that yogurt for years, it never occurred to me that it would be a problem now.&nbsp;</li><li><b>migraines DO occur in children!</b> Keep a close eye on your kids if they tell you they have a headache and don't feel well. If you have first-hand experience with migraines, one look and you'll know if they are experiencing the same. Tell your child's doctor about the episode next time you're in. Don't let the doctor blow you off and tell you you're wrong "because migraines are extremely rare in children". Make sure the incident is recorded in your child's medical chart, it's important to have a history.</li></ul>Every day without a headache is a blessing, a reason to celebrate that right here right now I don't have pain in my head or nausea in my stomach. In the meantime, keep your supply of Advil gel caps extra strength liquid migraine pills, 400mg, handy. It takes 20 minutes for the medication to get into your system and take the edge off that crack in your head. Tomorrow will hopefully be better.Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-2477773266458550292011-03-14T20:14:00.000-04:002011-03-14T20:14:20.305-04:00Charitable donations. Who gets my moneyFirst of all, regardless of who makes the charitable donation, apply the tax receipts against the person in your household with the largest income. For example, if the receipts are in your name but your spouse has the larger income, your spouse would claim the charitable donation deduction to reduce their taxable income. <br /><br />Here ends my income tax advice.<br /><br />I have 3 charities that I support. The first is <b>the school that my boys attend</b>. Last year when my oldest was in Grade 1 he would come home and talk endlessly about the PASS Room where he would go each recess to sign out a shovel or some other play equipment. He LOVED the PASS Room. I made some enquiries and learned that the PASS Room was actually a safe haven where children with behavioural issues could go during the day to calm down if they were having difficulty coping in the classroom. These children do not have a diagnosis, they are just kids who are not valued by their parents and their behaviour and social development reflects this. The PASS Room was created by the school to address behaviour problems and is supervised by 2 Special Ed qualified teachers. It has desks and cubicles so students who have been removed from their classroom can sit quietly without distraction and complete their work. They also stock healthy snacks for children who are sent to school with little or no food. I donate to the PASS Room at the beginning of each school year and ask that my funds be used to buy books, play equipment, food or anything the children may need. <br /><br /><b>My church</b> receives a monthly donation. The congregation is small but mighty in it's community outreach. It runs 3 breakfast clubs in 3 large primary schools where 100s of children who would not have breakfast otherwise benefit from a healthy meal served by church volunteers. The Visitation Committee visits shut-ins or people who are too ill to attend church and twice a year they organize a special luncheon at the church and haul everyone in for socializing, a service and a hot meal. Other committees provide support to people in hospital or families in difficult circumstances. When my sister died another committee whipped up sandwiches and had the hall decked out for everyone who attended her service - we didn't have to do a thing. The church committees seem endless and when I think about community impact return for my buck, the men and women who steer these committees stretch my dollars like only church people can.<br /><br />The third organization I support is <a href="http://community.specialolympicsontario.ca/aurora/">Special Olympics - Aurora, Ontario</a>. I wanted to find an organization close to home that worked with people with Down Syndrome who will forever hold a special place in my heart due to my incredible years with my sister. Last year I attended their annual general meeting and I was overwhelmingly impressed by the volunteers, their activities and their community involvement. I know my funds go directly to the athletes and that's very rewarding and reassuring to me. <br /><br />Chances are good you and everyone you know donates to charity. Some people with a lot of money may donate to the most popular organizations because their donation is more about easing their conscience and getting the tax write off than following the impact of their dollars. But for those of us with only a little extra to spread around, taking a few minutes to shop for a charity that will get the most out of our money is an exercise worth doing. After all, helping as many people as possible should be the priority rather than sending in our hard earned bucks to go toward inflated salaries for executives and catered Christmas parties for staff.Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-67596418809815540022011-03-13T19:56:00.000-04:002011-03-13T19:56:14.953-04:00Charitable donations. Make your money countThe vast majority of us donate a portion of our hard-earned money to charity. But unlike sending your taxes off to the government and hearing later that it was used illegally for a partisan advertising campaign, you can pick and choose your charity and thereby have some control over how your donation is spent.<br /><br />My husband used to support a well-know children's hospital. That was until he heard that the CEO of the hospital was paid a bonus of $500,000 last year on top of his regular salary of $400,000+. When I was in graduate school, we were told the operating budget of the Canadian Cancer Society was larger than the federal cancer research budget. Somehow I think the Canadian Cancer Society will persevere without my $50.<br /><br />A few years ago a friend of mine told me that her newly retired father thought he might do some volunteer work for The United Way. One of his friends was already involved in the organization and invited him to a lunch meeting. My friend's father went and when the meeting was called to order, all the executives started taking their lunches out of their briefcases. He had not taken his lunch, thinking that sandwiches would be provided but nope, only some coffee and no styrofoam cups either because everyone had their own mugs. Now that's an organization after my own heart. No spending my hard-earned harness dollars on catered lunches.<br /><br />I don't have much cash to spread around but I feel very strongly that my business is God's work and therefore some of my earnings will always support my charities of choice. Stay tuned to hear more about them.Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-67815657178375460162011-03-12T22:57:00.000-05:002011-03-12T22:57:12.155-05:00A close(r) look at my Child Harness design<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>A few days ago I had a Mom order a couple of my <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/features.html">Child Harnesses</a> for her twins. She told me she already had&nbsp; harnesses for them but they were the kind where the strap went around their waist so every time they pulled and got to the end of the lead, they tipped over face first. She said she was excited when she found my design because the lead attaches higher up.&nbsp; <br /><br />Her comments got me thinking that maybe I should post an explanation about how and why I came up with my Child Harness design. All this info is on my site but it seems like it's worth repeating. <br /><br />Some features of my Child Harness are no brainers. <b>The really long lead</b> for example. I'm tall. My baby was short. There was distance between us. The store bought harness I had almost yanked him off his feet the first time I tried it. When I developed my own design, a long lead was just common sense.<br /><br />Coming up with the<b> O-ring between the shoulder blades</b> <b>for the lead attachment</b> was very much a eureka moment. I wanted the lead to attach ABOVE the child's centre of gravity, and the O-ring with the 2 support loops was the perfect solution. Like that other Mom, my store bought harness also had the (short) lead attach around the waist and when my little guy pulled on the lead, his big fat head tipped him over face first. That only happened once because I immediately reconstructed the harness so I could clip the lead to the leather higher up. No big deal. I had made a couple of changes to a store bought harness and I sort of had a product that worked.<br /><br />Then it broke. In 2 places actually, but the hand strap was where it broke first. (The adjustment point on one shoulder strap was the other.) I was so annoyed. I don't know how long I'd been using it but since my son was only 2 1/2, I needed it for a whole lot longer and the last thing I wanted to do was buy another harness of the same design.<br /><br />So in one afternoon I had my own design laid out, supplies purchased and a harness sewn up on my Mom's 1940's Singer machine. <br /><br />The rest, as they say, is Children's Harnesses by Elaine, Inc.Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-86120929708179186732011-03-03T23:05:00.000-05:002011-03-03T23:05:45.944-05:00Our words are numbered. I make mine countEach and every one of us will speak a finite number of words in our lifetimes.<br /><br />We will write a finite number of words.<br /><br />We all die. And when we die we no longer speak, we no longer write. It's over. Those words could be totaled. It's a finite number.<br /><br />What if all the words we ever spoke or wrote were sorted and piled up around us when our spirits left our bodies? How big a pile would the Dishonest Words be? How big a pile would the Swear Words be? What about Hurtful Words? What about the piles for Words of Kindness, Encouragement, Sympathy and Understanding?<br /><br />If I take an inventory at this point in my life, I can tell you I haven't added to the Swear Words pile in a long time. I have my husband to thank for getting me out of that habit. Lately I've been adding heaps to the Kindness and Understanding piles. I'm not a 20-something any more and when I think back to the words I've caste around in my life, I'm ashamed to admit that the Love and Encouragement piles aren't as big as they should be. But I'm working on those and every day they grow to overshadow their more Hurtful Cousins.<br /><br />In this day and age of anonymous internet, Dishonest Words can be flung around with glee and abandon behind fabricated identities, the owner never imagining that those Dishonest Words carry their DNA and maybe, just maybe, are being added to a pile with their name on it. I read an excellent article a while ago and the author referred to these people as Trolls, intent only on causing harm to others.<br /><br />I consider myself incredibly fortunate. I haven't met any Trolls on the internet. I have wonderful and amazing customers who care deeply about their children. I love my business and I love helping others. Sure I've had someone here or there take advantage of me, but all of us can say that.<br /><br />What matters is how we treat others. What we say, what we type, how we say it. Our words are numbered. I'm not going to throw any more of mine on the Hurtful pile.Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-56826548894593981582011-02-27T10:24:00.000-05:002011-02-27T10:24:31.133-05:00When to stop using my Child Harness with your childOver the past 4 years I've had about 2 customers ask me when I stopped using my harnesses with my own boys.<br /><br />The short answer is; when they were about 5 years old.<br /><br />My boys had always worn harnesses and they only felt safe when they were wearing them so as they grew they would ask to wear them even though it wasn't necessary. My boys decided when to stop wearing their harnesses and because I trusted their behaviour, I left the decision up to them.<br /><br />But in reality, there is a transition period that happens between using the harness every day with your child and leaving the harness at home for good.<br /><ul><li><b>&nbsp;initially, when you first use my <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/features.html">Child Harness</a> with your toddler they discover that they can run only as far as the end of the lead.</b> Before they were able to run as far at they wanted (which is why you ordered the harness!!), now there is a limit to their range. But they soon figure out that the harness gives them an immense amount of freedom and control over one aspect of their lives: they decide when they walk or ride and they are no longer strapped into their stroller against their wishes.</li><li><b>&nbsp;next, your child will quickly associate the harness with outings</b>. Putting it on is just like putting on their shoes or their jacket. It's part of the routine and they don't question it. The exciting thing is the outing and that's all they care about. For me, this phase lasted until the boys were about 4, 4 1/2.</li><li>&nbsp;<b>as your child grows and matures, you'll have more confidence in their ability to stay close to you during your outings</b>, especially if those outings are to familiar haunts like the grocery store or the mall during a quiet time of the week. You're not dealing with an unpredictable 2 year old any more but you're also not dealing with someone who listens to you ALL the time. The harness is a good precaution in case there is a disagreement between you and your child and your obstinate 3 1/2 year old decides to take off on you.&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;<b>as they mature even more, disagreements between you and your child become discussions of reason and compromise</b>. You know their flight risk is close to zero so if they ask not to wear the harness, you agree. But you take it with you "just in case". My Child Harness is not bulky like an animal backpack harness, it bundles into it's own stuff sack so it's easy to tote along.</li><li>&nbsp;<b>transitioning into the phase of not using the harness at all is a signal to your child that they are mature and trustworthy and you take great pride in their behaviour to act responsibly when you are out together</b>. You'll likely find yourself carrying the harness with you needlessly for months, then decide to leave it at home that one time when disaster strikes. That happened to me and from then on I always carried their harnesses with me, no matter where we were going and no matter how long. </li></ul>You are the best judge of your child's behaviour. You will know when the harness is no longer necessary. If that happens to coincide with your child's opinion as well, so much the better. But in the meantime, it's a good idea to toss the harness in your bag with your keys when you leave the house. It may seem like this phase lasts forever but before you know it, they'll be asking for those keys.Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-19521285790352642352011-02-20T22:49:00.000-05:002011-02-20T22:49:22.060-05:00Financial planning starts with paying yourself regularly<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eWy2phm2r6w/TWHQm6RGWBI/AAAAAAAAARs/qhUeCYv0Jn8/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eWy2phm2r6w/TWHQm6RGWBI/AAAAAAAAARs/qhUeCYv0Jn8/s1600/images.jpg" /></a>I was working at my desk the other day with the radio on and my jaw almost hit my sewing machine. The interviewer was talking with a financial expert about RRSPs and Tax Free Savings Accounts. The shocker for me was that the TFSAs were introduced in 2009 but it seems like it was yesterday. With the maximum contribution per year at $5,000, your TFSA could be sitting at $15,000 right now. And that's without any financial gains in the interim. The expert quoted one of her clients who had chosen rather well with some stocks and had a current balance of $45,000 in his TFSA. No capital gains on that baby either.<br /><br />That 3 minute radio interview got me looking pretty closely at my own financial planning and more specifically at my TFSA. Suffice to say it's a far cry from $15,000 but a more honest admission would be that I have put very little effort into taking advantage of the TFSAs. It's been months and months since I've made a contribution.<br /><br />The thing about the TFSAs is you can hold anything in there. Cash, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, treasury bills, guaranteed investment certificates, you name it. And those investments will grow<b> tax free</b>. Your annual contribution is capped at $5,000 per year so you could open 5 TFSAs at 5 different banks and put $1,000 in each if you wanted but since this would limit your buying power, it doesn't seem like a smart idea.<br /><br />The thing about saving money is that a lot is better than a little and a little is better than nothing. This last part I'd forgotten. I always have a little but somehow it wouldn't feel worthwhile to actually put that little away someplace separate. That's going to change starting this month.<br /><br />So as a stranger in your computer and someone you can delete or shut down or Unlike, let me risk asking you some politically incorrect questions about your own financial savings:<br /><ul><li>if you're in Canada, <b>have you opened a Tax Free Savings Account for yourself?</b> If not, I urge you to talk to your bank this week and tell them to get the forms ready for you. Tell them you want a trading account. Better to be set up at the beginning in case you want to purchase mutual funds or ishares down the road.</li><li><b>do you invoice yourself each month?</b> I don't but I'm going to start. It might only be $50 but as I say, a little is better than nothing and nothing is what I'm doing now. Billing yourself a certain amount each month is extremely effective. Yes it's another bill and yes you're going to pay it. <b>It's not optional</b>. Treat it like your phone bill or your internet. It has to be paid to keep you and everyone else in the house happy.&nbsp;</li><li><b>are your savings off limits?</b> If you do have some egg money, do you view it truly as savings for your future or do you view it as funds you can access when there's an extra expense? <b>Savings for yourself should be completely and entirely off limits to you and everyone else</b>. No dipping. No withdrawing. When you're 70, you'll be grateful for your vigilence. </li></ul>The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is today. Maintaining financial independence as we age is surely what all of us desire and the smart ones among us likely started years ago. But the rest of us will start today.Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-69326679662479849812011-02-15T21:57:00.001-05:002011-02-15T21:58:36.324-05:00Dorel car seat recall. Check the model number of your child's car seat.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pQBw47Kwegs/TVs4NE4d_qI/AAAAAAAAARc/KKkfZlRlQ18/s1600/tp-dorel-car-seat-notice_20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pQBw47Kwegs/TVs4NE4d_qI/AAAAAAAAARc/KKkfZlRlQ18/s1600/tp-dorel-car-seat-notice_20.jpg" /></a></div>Today on CBC radio they announced that Dorel Juvenile Group is voluntarily recalling approximately 800,000 child car seats. The harness strap at the base of the seat may not keep it's tension when your child is buckled in.<br /><br />The seats in question were manufactured between May 1, 2008 and April 30, 2009.<br /><br />If the name Dorel doesn't sound familiar, it didn't to me either. That's because they sell their seats under different brand names such as Cosco, Eddie Bauer, Safety 1st, Maxi-Cosi and Schwinn. <br /><br />Here is the link to the CBC article: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2011/02/15/dorel-child-seat-recall.html">Dorel recalls 800,000 child car seats</a><br /><br />and here is the link to the Dorel Juvenile Group's website: <a href="http://www.djgusa.com/usa/eng/Safety-Notices/Detail/506-Cosco,-Maxi-Cosi,-and-Safety-1st-Child-Restraint-System-Center-Front-Adjuster-Recall">Dorel Juvenile Group Safety Notices</a><br /><br />* You DO NOT return your car seat to the retailer.*<br /><br />If you completed and mailed in the registration card when you purchased your car seat and your model is affected by the recall, you will be notified by mail. But if you didn't register your purchase, slip out to your car right now and write down the model number of your car seat. Then go to the Dorel website to see if your model has been effected. They have developed a fix so it's a matter of making sure that kit is sent to you as soon as possible. They have a link on their site so you can order your repair kit.Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-6542194696133465172011-02-14T22:25:00.000-05:002011-02-14T22:25:52.163-05:00Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements. How much is too much?<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dxWj414R3l0/TVnflTtjP8I/AAAAAAAAARY/3OcwKD8U7MM/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dxWj414R3l0/TVnflTtjP8I/AAAAAAAAARY/3OcwKD8U7MM/s1600/images.jpg" /></a>If you stroll down the isle at the local drug store past all the vitamins, minerals and supplements for sale you'd think there were no nutrients at all in the foods we eat. And whether it's successful marketing on their part or guilt on our part, chances are good that some of those bottles are sitting on our breakfast tables right now. Not only that, but after consuming those pills we have florescent pee for the rest of the day as most of those vitamins pass right through our systems.<br /><br />Recently I heard a commentary on the radio by a doctor who said that taking a multivitamin probably isn't necessary if you're someone who doesn't have an immuno-compromised condition. But if it makes you feel better (as in The Placebo Effect) then there's no harm in doing so.<br /><br />Vitamins, minerals and supplements are not cheap, even when you buy them on sale. Chances are good there's between $60 and $80 worth of pills keeping you company each morning when you sit down for breakfast. <b>Are all of them necessary?</b> <b>Are any of them there for the placebo effect only?</b> <b>Are you using any of them as a substitute for real food</b>; "I had my multivitamin so I can eat this bag of chips"?<br /><br />In the area of health and food, I'll never cut corners. But given the amount of vitamins that pass through my&nbsp; system unabsorbed when I take these pills, I'm now looking at my collection of bottles with a critical eye.<br /><br />What will stay? <b>&nbsp;</b><br /><br /><b>Vitamin D, 1000 IUs</b>. Research that was out last year indicated that we need to bump up our intake from previous levels of 250 IUs to maintain strong bones and teeth. And since some of us in these Canadian climes aren't getting that amount of vitamin D naturally from sunlight throughout the year, I'll keep my little white pills.<br /><br /><b>Glucosamine, 500mg, shellfish free</b>. When I was running 100+km/wk a friend of mine suggested glucosamine to help maintain the integrity of my joints. Even when I was doing higher mileage for extended periods of time, I remained injury free. I can't attribute that definitively to the glucosamine but it's got such a great reputation with the arthritis crowd that I'm hedging my bets it will help me maintain healthy joints as I age.<br /><br /><b>Calcium Carbonate, 500mg</b>.This will remain for a couple of reasons: osteoporosis is a nasty disease and whatever steps we can take to prevent it's arrival, so much the better. Even if the calcium from this pill is only partially absorbed, a little is better than nothing. Second reason; sources of calcium that I enjoyed so much in the past (yogurt, cheese, ice cream, frozen yogurt) have become migraine triggers so it's much more difficult for me to obtain a good amount of calcium naturally.<br /><br />What will go?<br /><br /><b>Multivitamin</b>. I'm not immuno-compromised and I will admit I sometimes use the multivitamin as a crutch. Ok, I'll say it. I don't always eat properly.<br /><br /><b>B100 Complex Time Release</b>. This was an expensive bottle of pills that I bought as a trial to see if it would make a difference in my energy levels. We don't eat a lot of meat so it makes sense that we could be low in our vitamin B department. But time is up with this time release product because for me personally, it's had no effect.<br /><br />Our bodies were designed to absorb what they need from the food that we eat. Lest we forget our primary source of vitamins and minerals, I'm opting to spend less time starting at the bottles in the drug store and more time staring at the fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. And rather than researching the amounts of nutrients in 3 different types of lettuce, I'll keep to the rule that keeps it simple for all of us:<br /><br />Eat foods of different colour.Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-64887472101826113242011-02-11T23:47:00.000-05:002011-02-11T23:47:47.329-05:00How about giving a gift of safety this Valentine's Day?It's true that the chocolate and flower industries have the corner on Valentine's Day but this Monday how about giving a zero calorie, long lasting gift of safety instead? <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Kb_Ov5YvPM/TVYL0Scy95I/AAAAAAAAARU/uhRTBXCw6PU/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Kb_Ov5YvPM/TVYL0Scy95I/AAAAAAAAARU/uhRTBXCw6PU/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No generation gap</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Sound unromantic?<br /><br />I suppose it does. But don't blame me for suggesting it, I'm just applying to Valentine's Day what I see in my business all year long. Need proof? Well, I have a ton of grandparents buying my <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/features.html">Child Harness</a> for them to use with their grandchild. Or they have me send the harness directly to the child's parents because they know their little grandkid is tearing up the streets and wearing down Mom and Dad. Then there's all the case workers who pay for a <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/2strap.html">Child-to-Adult Harness</a> for a child with special needs. This gift of safety is inevitably a life-changer for the whole family.<br /><br />I can attest to the fact that there is a lot of giving going on all the time, not just on Valentine's Day. So if you're wondering what to do on the 14th, ask yourself this: how badly can you screw up if you give a gift that won't cause a complexion disaster, wide hips, or hyperglycemia and might actually be used every day of the year to keep someone you love safe?<br /><br />Now that's what I call a gift from the heart.Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-82887444485882125812011-02-10T20:59:00.000-05:002011-02-10T20:59:48.531-05:00Waiting<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HeQ7Uj9iQ-A/TVSUoU_R6OI/AAAAAAAAARQ/D7iCXaPxznA/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HeQ7Uj9iQ-A/TVSUoU_R6OI/AAAAAAAAARQ/D7iCXaPxznA/s1600/images.jpg" /></a>It's exhausting.<br />Waiting for news.<br />Any news.<br />Good news or bad news, just tell us something.<br />Help us cope with waiting.<br /><br />We worry while waiting.<br />Will everything be ok?<br />What about pain?<br />Will there be blood?<br /><br />Blood. We hope there won't be any. That would be wonderful. No blood and manageable pain. Dare we hope for such perfect conditions.<br /><br />Time has stopped. Can that be possible? The clock says No. But there's no news. Nothing different, nothing that we haven't heard before. So time must have stopped. Wait until tomorrow to hear news. But I want good news now. I want news that everything has turned out fine. That everyone is ok. That there's been no blood. That it's been a great start to a new beginning.<br /><br />But we haven't heard that yet.<br /><br />And so we wait.<br /><br />For the birth of democracy in Egypt.Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-72445002460834741182011-02-09T22:13:00.000-05:002011-02-09T22:13:27.259-05:00Don't let bank fees drain your accountWhen I was in graduate school, one of our profs told us "The banks have no incentive to be efficient. As long as they can pass their expenses on to the customer in terms of fees, there is no need for them to change their practices." <br /><br />Graduate school was more than a few years ago for me but this adage still seems true. Yesterday I received a pamphlet in the mail outlining the new fees associated with different accounts at my bank. My chequing account will be effected and as of April 1, there will be a $2 fee for keeping a bank book and a minimum balance of $1500 must be in the account to waive the transaction fees ($0.65 each). <br /><br />You gotta love the banks. It's amazing I managed to read these tiny changes listed in their little pamphlet, written in a font of 2 with black ink on a grey background. A magnifying glass should have been included in the envelope.<br /><br />I've ALWAYS avoided paying bank fees. They make enough off my money through their investments, I begrudge giving them more if I can help it. Other than purchasing my cheques, I always<b> maintain the minimum balance required in my chequing account</b> <b>to avoid transaction fees</b>. The minimum balance used to be $1000 so I'd always treat this as my $0. I'd maintain a float of whatever I needed above the $1000 to cover my monthly expenses. <b>Transaction fees can add up!</b> At $0.65 each and an average of 8 transactions per month, that's over $60 a year you can save just by keeping a float above their minimum balance. And <b>don't fall below that minimum balance</b>. If you go below by 1 penny for 30 seconds any time during the month, you'll be charged a fee for every transaction executed that month.<b>&nbsp;</b><br /><br />I also <b>go paperless</b>. Doing good for the environment is incentive enough so sign onto your bank account and look under account settings to switch to paperless if you haven't already. It will stop the flood of monthly statements that you put directly into recycling anyway. And it will avoid any charges the bank may inflict for having a bank book. What's $2 you say? Well, if you saw $2 on the sidewalk, would you pick it up? So I guess it's worth saving then.<br /><br />If you haven't done so already, have a look at your bank statements and see if you've been dinged any fees lately. How much have you paid in bank fees over the past 6 months? Add them up. Is there something else you'd have rather done with that money or does paying it to your bank give you a warm and fuzzy feeling?<br /><br />With a little planning on your part you can keep a bit more of your money in your bank account where it belongs. I'm sure the banks will increase their fees to compensate.&nbsp;Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-36116782159388076732011-02-07T22:21:00.000-05:002011-02-07T22:21:56.177-05:00March Break and travelling with a 4 - 5 year old. Is it worth buying a harness for 'one' trip?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MCM7Mo2zJyA/TVCoWno6c2I/AAAAAAAAARM/jqQAGXMPHmI/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MCM7Mo2zJyA/TVCoWno6c2I/AAAAAAAAARM/jqQAGXMPHmI/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So you're headed out of town for March Break. You're all excited about getting away and you're making your lists and organizing your stuff for yourself and your kids and you've laid it all out on the livingroom rug.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Uh oh. How much of this can be crammed into regular checked baggage and how much is going to be additional baggage at a cost of $20 or more per bag each way? Do the airlines really need more of your money on top of your airfare and airport tax and whatever other taxes and expenses that balloon their "seat sale" from $299 to $600?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To take the stroller or To not take the stroller. That is the question.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Your 4 to 5 year old has been walking all over the place with you for some time now and it seems like those days of hauling the stroller in and out of the car are over. But at the airport or just because you're leaving the country or just because you're going someplace you've never been before, maybe dusting off the stroller and taking it with you would be a good idea. You can strap in your independent one and keep a close eye on them. But the stroller is awfully bulky and maybe the times it will be used the most is at each end of your trip.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now I must confess that I loved my stroller. It carried everything we needed for our outings and sometimes it even carried a child. It was an essential piece of equipment for us and I never stepped outside the house unless I had the stroller, drinks, snacks and their harnesses. If this sounds like you, then it's a No Brainer. The stroller is the first thing that's packed for your trip.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But if that's not you and you haven't used your stroller for a while, maybe you can get by without it. Hm. Ok, if leaving it behind is an appealing idea, how will I keep track of my kid?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well funny you should ask. How about one of my <a href="http://www.childharness.ca/2strap.html">Child-to-Adult Harnesses</a>? It's not such a bad idea if you think about it. My harness bundles into a small pouch that is very easy to toss into a purse or day pack. The lead is detachable so your child can wear the body part of the harness all the time. When crowds come along, attach the lead to keep everyone together. And unlike paying more at the airport for additional baggage and having nothing to show for it at the end of your trip, you still have the harness. And chances are very good you'll use it more than once.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But there is another factor in the argument to consider using one of my harnesses that is far more important than any sales pitch I can throw. The feelings of your child. It can be a little overwhelming for them dealing with crowds at the airport or shopping in an open market in another country.</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Wearing a harness in those strange places will give them a sense of safety and security having that physical connection to Mommy or Daddy.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My own boys continued to ask to wear their harnesses long after they were needed. For them it was their comfort level, their sense of security and safety knowing that I was holding their leads.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For them, it was like holding my hand. <br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696802307160040876.post-46701706123071854532011-02-04T22:53:00.000-05:002011-02-04T22:53:14.974-05:00Fast Twitch or Slow Twitch? Let your body dictate your workout<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I was in undergrad, my boyfriend suggested we play tennis. I stood with my racket at the end of the court and waited for him to hit the ball to me. He hit the ball to the side. No no no. You must hit the ball RIGHT to me. No, you're supposed to run for it. Well forget that. Tennis for me lasted about 4 minutes and it was 4 minutes too long.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Many years later I read an article about fast twitch and slow twitch muscle and how everyone has some of both but some people have more of one type than the other. If you have a greater proportion of fast twitch muscle compared to slow, you're naturally good at moving quickly so sports that require speed and agility are your game. But if it's the reverse, more slow twitch rather than fast twitch muscle, endurance activities are your thing. Training can influence the proportion but not substantially and never to the extent of inverting what you have naturally. So basically, Mostly fast twitch = Always Mostly fast twitch and Mostly slow twitch = Always Mostly slow twitch. Thank your parents for how you're made.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you detest your workouts, <b>maybe you should have a close look at your heritage </b>and see what they were good at in their time. Chances are you'll take after one of them and a similar activity today will be a good match for you. If you take a little time to narrow your workout options, you may save yourself some agony and find an enjoyable activity that you look forward to rather than dread.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>What were you good at as a child?</b> That younger, smaller body of yours had the same proportion of fast twitch and slow twitch muscle that your body has today. What was your favourite game in the school yard? Were you good at tag or were you always the first one caught? Was standing around and skipping your thing or running the bases? Spending some time thinking about it critically will give you a good idea if the adult you would rather go to the gym and lift weights or jog a few times around the block.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>What's your personality?</b> Are you a social type? Then maybe going to the gym with a friend and chatting while you do your circuit is more your speed. Or suffering with a group through a spinning class. Not so social? Then going to the pool and swimming laps probably sounds very appealing. People are around but you're basically working out alone.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As for yours truly, that unfortunate brush with tennis told me all I needed to know and a quick look at Dad reinforced it. Slow twitch from top to bottom.&nbsp; </span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328463127024556827noreply@blogger.com4